Sciath na Scol is a schools based organisation which organises Gaelic games in the primary schools of Cork city and county. There are over 400 schools affiliated in the various codes, catering for 7,000 children annually.

Sciath na Scol organises development county-wide regionalised Indoor Hurling and Camogie competitions which cater for in excess of 150 schools during the winter months.

The South East run a hugely successful Indoor Football competition --- Caid Carraigdonn.

Sciath na Scol runs Foundation Courses for teachers each summer.

Sciath na Scol organises and selects The Primary Game each summer.

Sciath na Scol is funded by the County Board, Munster Council and Church and General.

Sciath na Scol is run by an executive with no full time personnel. Sciath na Scol celebrates its Centenary in 2003 and is the oldest Schools based sports organisation in Ireland.

Once again the year has been quite busy. We organised âRed and White Daysâ for the 2009 All-Ireland Football final. A large number of schools took part as evidenced by the photographs which appeared in the Evening Echo as well as other local papers.

A concern of Sciath na Scol going forward was the fact that individual photographers were seeking addresses of families and then calling to them to sell pictures after our Finals. After a decision made by our Coiste, I met with Brian Lougheed who is the Photography Editor with the Evening Echo. We re-established the previous tradition of Parents/Schools approaching the paper for copies of their photographs taken at finals.

Overall media coverage of our finals has increased this year. Press releases now go to all local newspapers in the lead up to our finals and indoor finals. We ask that schools might add to this coverage by submitting their own reports or inviting local reporters to their schools. Our own newsletter has grown and is now seen as a vital means of communication. I propose for the coming year to co-ordinate with the regional boardâs P.R.O.s in order to highlight their work in the newsletter.

I am delighted with the co-operation I received once again this year from individual teachers and schools whom I rang/emailed for photos, reports and information for the new Leabhar Eolais!! The new booklet has been an extensive project which all schools will benefit from. I wish to especially thank Martin Cronin, Paudie OâSullivan and Ger Harrington for their help supplying information for the Leabhar Eolais. With this information, I have also been able to establish a bulk-texting system which should speed up communication between our Coiste and teachers.